The investigation into a Philadelphia property described as a “house of horrors” has intensified after authorities brought in specialized detection dogs and prepared to test the site for possible traces of blood. The home was once owned by Raymond “RC” Horsch, whom investigators suspect may have been a serial killer.
Police have searched the two-story brick residence several times. Horsch, an adult-film producer and author of books about serial killers who target women, died last year at 82.
Investigators believe seven missing women may be linked to Horsch and the property in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood.
A preliminary search uncovered more than one million images and videos allegedly showing sex acts, drug use and at least one film believed to depict an actual killing.
Authorities say the material appears to feature at least 58 alleged victims. In at least five cases, the women shown appear to be either unconscious or dead.
The FBI joined the case Tuesday. By Friday, Philadelphia police had deployed Cache, an electronic-detection dog, along with other K-9s, according to sources cited by CBS News.
Cache, a black Labrador, is trained to locate concealed digital storage devices by detecting the oils left on their surfaces.
Investigators also plan to apply luminol inside the house Monday. The chemical reacts with iron in blood and produces a brief blue glow, including in areas where blood may have been cleaned away.
Philadelphia police have intensified their investigation of the property after finding digital images and videos that allegedly included at least one film depicting a killing
The home was owned by suspected serial killer Raymond “RC” Horsch, who died last year at 82. Police brought detection dogs to the property Friday and plan to search for possible blood evidence Monday
The luminol search is scheduled for after sunset, when the chemical’s reaction should be more visible in the darkness.
On Tuesday, authorities are expected to bring heavy machinery to the property and excavate areas that could contain evidence connecting Horsch to the missing women.
As of Sunday, police had not reported finding any bodies in or near the home. Authorities also had not said whether Cache’s search uncovered additional digital storage devices or other evidence.
Sources told CBS that the missing women identified in the material include Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro, who each disappeared years ago.
Horsch’s former wife, Amy McHale, and Blair Tonzelli, another woman connected to him, are also still missing.
According to reports, 10 other women shown in the evidence later died of overdoses and were found at various locations around Philadelphia. Sixteen additional alleged victims were located alive, but investigators said they were “not very cooperative” and did not want to describe what happened inside the house. Three others declined to speak with authorities.
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate and interview 25 more alleged victims identified in the disturbing images and videos.
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Investigators reportedly focused on the property days after a federal park ranger encountered Eugene, Horsch’s son. Eugene now owns the house and had lived there with his father.
(L-R) Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses appeared in evidence collected from Horsch’s home. They vanished in 2021 and 2018 at ages 22 and 27, respectively
Other footage recovered from the property reportedly showed Horsch strangling Nicole Fusaro, who disappeared in 2018 at age 27
Horsch’s ex-wife, Amy McHale, also remains missing. Horsch’s is now linked to a total of at least seven missing women
Eugene was inside a vehicle with a woman in an unrestricted area in Independence National Historical Park on June 19, according to a legal complaint reviewed by Our News Outlet.
When the officer approached the black BMW, he heard the female say something along the lines of ‘you’re going to hurt me!’ as Eugene rolled the window down, the complaint read.
The ranger quickly noticed sores on both of their arms, ‘which are common among illegal drug users,’ according to the document.
Eugene was holding tweezers and a butane lighter was clearly visible inside the car, the ranger noted.
Based on what he observed, the ranger asked Eugene and the woman to provide identification, according to the complaint.
Records then showed that the woman’s ID belonged to a missing person reported out of Philadelphia, which led the officer to ask Eugene to step out of the car, per the complaint.
NBC reports that the ID belonged to Blair Tonzelli, who had been missing since 2023.
The disturbing find led authorities to conduct a search of Eugene and his father’s home, where they found the creepy videos and images.
The investigation into Horsch began in June, when police pulled over his son, Eugene, 44, in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia
A woman in the car with Eugene provided identification for a missing 35-year-old woman named Blair Tonzelli (pictured), who disappeared in 2023. She is still considered missing
The home also contained at least one illegal gun, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a marijuana growing operation and five urns containing cremated remains, according to police.
Eugene remains behind bars on drug and gun charges as his lawyer said he is upset that the house will be destroyed by the police activity inside.
